Page 141 of Mafia And Maid
The conversation instantly reminds me of Sheena, but I quickly shake my head to dismiss all thoughts of that awful woman.
"Anyway," Juliana continues, "we just wanted to say thanks for looking after Marco, Alessio, and the house. We really do appreciate it and appreciate you. I know it made Marco happier that he had Ethan to spoil and play baseball with. Our sons are really hyper at times, but he missed them for sure."
Cate’s brow furrows. "Alessio was practically going crazy not being able to see the children for so long. The way he talked about having Ethan there and the mealtimes with you guys, it had a calming effect on him and gave him some of that family time these guys really crave and need to keep them grounded in this crazy world of theirs."
I look over at Ethan playing with the children. Maximo is holding out a ball to Ethan with a smile, and Xander is talking intently to my little boy about some cartoon they were watching earlier.
I’d really like Ethan to have siblings one day. Seeing how he is with the other children affirms my view that he needs people his own age to mix with. He needs to be a child and do all the normal things children do. And he deserves to do that all without the weight of the world on his tiny shoulders.
***
By some miracle, the running around after the kids doesn’t make my hunger worse. And by the time we get back to the mansion, the kids are worn out, and the little ones are tucked up in their beds for a nap.
If I can just make it to the gym, I can work in another small run before doing some more cleaning. Sluggish, my feet move down the hall. The room spins, but I push on.
“Rosa?”
My body snaps straight as I plaster on a smile.
“Where are you going?”
“I thought I’d get in a quick run before I start on the bedrooms.”
Camillo’s eyes are searching, tracking over my body as if he can see the damage within. As if he knows something I’ve yet to voice.
I tug my oversized shirt subconsciously, pulling it down more to cover the tops of my chunky thighs.
“I was on my way to get lunch, Rosa. Are you hungry?”
Yes. “No. We ate lunch at the park.”
“You did?”
I nod and fight back another wave of dizziness.
“Rosa?”
I brace my hand against the wood paneling of the hall.
He’s in front of me in two long strides.
“When did you say you ate?”
I mumble something offhand. Shoving three crackers and a single cube of cheese into my mouth hours ago isn’t what he’s talking about. But it was the smallest amount I could get away with while Juliana and Cate watched me like hawks.
Do the girls know?I shake my head, dismissing the thought. Of course they don’t.
“Rosa?”
“It was at the park.” I clear my throat. “I think I’m just going to lay down. The heat must have gotten to me.”
Camillo doesn’t move.
Under his gaze, I squirm. If he looks too long, will he see what everyone else sees?
His eyes narrow, but he steps back, allowing me to pass.
I take three steps before the floor tilts under me.